With the first leg of the Asian Champions League quarter-finals less than six weeks away, Al Ain are keen to see the Slovakian winger Miroslav Stoch settle quickly with the club.
Stoch has arrived in Italy to join the club’s training camp near Florence.
Zlatko Dalic, Al Ain’s Croatian coach, said he asked the club to pursue the speedy winger, 24, who has played with Chelsea, Twente, Fenerbahce and for the Slovakian national team.
“I said I need a fast player for the wing and I spoke to Stoch about some issues and I expect a lot from him,” Dalic said. “I told him we are aiming to win the quarter-final of the ACL, so I wish to get him into the team quickly.”
Al Ain have postponed a friendly match against local Italian club Montecatini until Friday so that Stoch can have one more training session with the club.
“I have great aspirations for the coming days as I know well the challenges waiting for Al Ain,” Stoch said. “I’m so excited to help the team win more trophies and cups.
“I know Al Ain are one of the best clubs in the UAE and Asia. I wish to adapt with the team soon to succeed well, which requires double efforts. I know Asamoah Gyan and he is an excellent striker. I will do my best to know the others and cooperate with them.”
He said he was flattered that Dalic pursued him.
“I think it is great when people speak well about you, and Zlatko is from Croatia and near my country so I will do my best to be close to him.
“He knows well why he wanted me for Al Ain and I will work hard to meet the expectations of the management and the fans.”
Al Ain play host to Saudi side Al Ittihad at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on August 19, with the return match in Jeddah a week later. Al Ain are hoping to win the Asian club championship for the first time since 2003.
Stoch is looking forward to his first official match with Al Ain. “I wish our fans support us at the great stadium, Hazza bin Zayed, which I saw only in pictures, but we will soon play a match in that stadium,” he said.
Follow our sports coverage on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE
